Gourmet Germany, Austria & Switzerland
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, what are its favorite taste treats?
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Good food
Vils Alp See in Austria has the best apfel struddel in the german speaking region. If that doesn't get you, a walk around the lake will.
Mike Keel
Simi Valley, Ca. USA 01/26/2012
About Austria
There are 2 towns in Austria that Dave and I love...Gmunden and Friesach.Both have great food and weekly markets and a super climate for those of us with humidity problems in the summer...not to mention the friendliest people in Austria.
PS Our daughter's husband has a wonderful Buddhist Gomde in the nearby village of Scharnstein.It is a beautiful country location that is situated in a centuries-old farm property .
Mary Major
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 01/06/2012
gourmetgermany
when i lived in dulmen,west germany,i love eating lox(rawsalmon)on brotchen(bread).i also loved the yager snitzel(smotherde porkchops)with pommesfrits(frenchfries)
marshataylor
lithiasprings, ga USA 11/22/2011
Switzerland Restaurant
OLD SWISS HOUSE in Lucerne.
From now on, NO trip to Switzerland will be complete without it.
I hope that says it all.
Simone
St Laurent, QUE CDN 10/13/2011
Nurnberger Bratwurst
Nurnberg style bratwurst
These small bratwursts (order 6 or 8 - they are small) are out of this world. Find them in Nurnberg or at the Bratwurstgloeckl in Munich
Doris
Miami, FL USA 09/16/2011
Whymper Stube Rest
We were just in Zermatt and the Whymper Stube Rest is fantastic. We suggest the fondue for 3 people even if you're a couple. It's worth every bite. Yum. Jim Scottsdale
Jim
Scottsdale, AZ USA 07/18/2011
Eating in Germany
The food in Germany was fabulous. Many of the options in the grocery stores were organic and eating local was a theme. Local bread, cheese, meats, desserts, etc. Even food at the larger train stations was great.
Freiburg - Gerti's Sichelschmiede Resturant and Guesthouse was as wonderful as Rick's review. Great Sahwabisch Maultaschen (local dumplings) and the best homemade Weiskraut on the salad. Near the Augunstiner Museum.
Fussen - The Ritterstub'n a few blocks from the train station. The best red cabbage, saurkraut, and sausage you have ever tasted.
Cochem - Another one of Rick's recommendations - Gatstatte Noss on the Riverwalk was wonderful for the food and people watching. It is also one of the few resturants open after 7:00 pm.
AB
Nashville, TN USA 07/17/2011
Berlin
During our recent trip to Berlin we had an amazing dinner at Le Cucu, an Italian restaurant at Kastanienallee 4. We just happened to stop by on their opening night and were treated to free champagne and appetizers. While that won't be typical every day, this is a place we would definitely return to on another trip. The antipasto misto is wonderful! (To get there, take the U to the Eberswalder station.)
Lynn
Madison, WI USA 07/15/2011
Wine-tasting by Boppard Train Station
If you have to wait for the hourly train in Boppard, look up the street for Weinhaus Heilig Grab, Zelkesgasse 12, D-56154 Boppard. Under the cool shade of huge trees, my lame German, "We're taking the train in 15 minutes, so we'd like to try wines 2 and 5 [menu on the garden doorpost...] and pay the bill right now" produced exactly that result, with good cheer from our waitress. The wines are great. They also have palatial, state-of-the-art toilets.
Tim
Bergen County, NJ USA 06/19/2011
German (Mosel) Dining
While touring Traben-Trarbach, (on the Traben side), we found a public path through a steep vineyard, from which we saw Weingut Trossen. Brauerweg 6, 56841 Traben-Trarbach, Tel. 06541/2937. Besides making wine, they have a large guesthouse (which looked promising) and a small restaurant.
We sat alone, on a shaded terrace, in bird-song only quiet, viewing the distant Mosel below. Besides drinking their wine (3 or 4 Euros a glass), we had a freshly cooked farmers lunch (including Flammkuchen), prepared by our German-only speaking server. She seemed very pleased to have us there. A memorable "Rick Steves Moment".
Tim
Bergen County, NJ USA 06/14/2011
Vienna dish
We ate at Melker Stiftskeller, there seem to be alot of restaurants in cellars. The recommended dish there was crisp knuckle of pork. I will generally try the specialty. I was happy I did. The outside tasted like pork rinds. Inside roasted meat, salty and delicious. Not exactly on your heart healthy diet, but hey, we were on vacation.
Everett Wyatt
Lexington, Ky USA 06/03/2011
Eating in Vienna
If you are staying in a location where you can prepare your own meals the Billa grocery stores are great deals, they also have a Cosco version that is like Whole Foods in the states. Don't buy at Julius Meinl unless you what to pay for the name.
Fred Kay
Seattle, WA USA 06/01/2011
Cochem, Germany
We stayed at your recommended Weingut Rademacher (an excellent choice) and, at Herr Rademacher suggestion, dined at Zum Oncle Willi's -- which we enjoiyed very much.
Tom
Port Townsend, WA USA 05/27/2011
Berlin
We were very recently in Berlin May 4 -8, 2011. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Prater Biergarten. It's spargel season so try some entrees made with white asparagus. Don't miss the Pergamon Museum if you are into ancient Greek culture and the Babylonian Ishtar Gate was my WOW moment in Berlin. Avoid the Turkish restaurant Hasir in the Hackescher Markt area. The food was bad and the waiter tried to pressure our group of 5 into a 30 euro each meal without letting us read the menu. We should have trusted our gut feeling to leave without ordering.
Beverly
Kalamazoo, Mi USA 05/15/2011
During a 6-day stay in Berlin, my favorite restaurant was the Mittendrin Cafe at Sophienstrasse 19 in the Scheunenviertel, only a 10 minute walk northeast of the Museuminsel (museum island). My reasonably priced meal of pan-seared spaetlze and a pork chop in mushroom sauce was excellent. The cafe has several outdoor tables in the courtyard. Sophienstrasse is a quiet street, just north of the Hackesche Hoefe. I was exploring this interesting part of Berlin, and was pleasantly surprised to come across the Mittendrin Cafe.
Bob
USA 04/28/2011
Sudhaus Restaurant, Bonn, Germany
This restaurant was suggested by a woman working at the TI in Bonn, and she was spot-on! Walking into the restaurant, the atmosphere is warm and convivial. Sit where you like; there are large shared tables or smaller ones. The elderly but active proprietress watches over the kitchen and the general upkeep, ensuring the quality of everything emerging from the kitchen. Waiters are friendly and down-to-earth. Lots of locals, but everyone is welcome. Portions are huge, and are very reasonably-priced. I ordered sauerbraten with potato dumplings with buttery breadcrumbs on top; with it came a dish of applesauce with a cherry on top. For dessert I ordered the apple tart, which was unexpectedly huge (and freshly baked); it was almost the size of one of the restaurant's generously-sized plates!
The ambiance is wonderful and is a cozy place to experience a bit of local life in Germany in the larger city of Bonn.
Emily
Baltimore, MD USA 01/18/2011
Hotel-Restaurant Stuber, Bacharach, Germany
I stayed in Bacharach for a few nights in late October, and Hotel-Restaurant Stuber was hands down the best place I ate in Bacharach and during my entire trip down the Rhine. The staff speak English and there is a printed English menu, so no worries there. Once you order, you are brought your drinks and a basket filled with bread, including delicious brown bread. This is accompanies by a house-made pork lard, which is utterly delicious and herbed just right; it was like eating a buttery spread, not at all unpleasant. I was brought a salad at both meals I had here, even though it was not always specified in the menu as part of the dish I ordered. The salad had delicious homemade buttermilk dressing, tosted sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, picked cabbage and fennel, and shredded marinated carrots. The waitress then brings out the main dish; I ordered sauerbrauten, which was the best I tasted on the trip. It was composed of wild boar meat in a deep brown sauce with raisins, accompanied by the best potato dumplings I've ever had, along with homemade cranberry-like sauce that balanced the plate's richness perfectly. The first night I ate here, I was so stuffed I had no room for dessert, but the second time I ordered the kleiner portion ("small hunger" portion I love this concept) and left plenty of room for dessert. I ordered the crème brûlée on chocolate mousse with the sugar on top lit with a match at the table, surrounded on the plate by honey and very sweet balsamic vinegar, toasted hazelnuts, and dried raspberries. It was utterly delicious.
This is THE place to eat in Bacharach; make reservations ahead of time, especially in high season, but also in low season on weekend nights. It is reasonably priced, as well; a full dinner was about 20 euro, like any other restaurant, but this restaurant shines in comparison.
Emily
Baltimore, MD USA 01/18/2011
Weinstube Bastian, Bacharach, Germany
This is a great place for a light lunch, dinner, or snack. Try the spundekase, which is like cream cheese and is a specialty of the area. It is delicious. Also, don't miss the Traubensaftschorle; it is grape juice with sparkling water added and is sooooo delicious. The staff are very friendly and speak English.
Emily
Baltimore, MD USA 01/18/2011
Kleinmarkthalle, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany
Easily my favorite thing about Frankfurt-am-Main. There is so much to see! I was surprised at the abundance of tropical fruits, some of which I had never seen before. There is a chocolate maker on the right-hand side who makes delicious truffles. There is also a baker on the right-hand side of the left aisle with a yellow sign that sells nusscake (or a similar spelling); it is like a blondie topped with a smooth peanuty layer and dipped in dark chocolate... it easily beats out any pretzel Germany could offer.
Emily
Baltimore, MD USA 01/18/2011
Salzburg, Austria Italian restaurant.
I was lucky to find one of the best italian restaurants I have eaten at in Salzburg, Austria!
The restaurant is called Beccofino and is in the Rupertgasse, which is walking distance from the old city of Salzburg.
The restaurant is run by a wonderful and warm family. They have over 25 kinds of pizzas alone and wonderful fresh pastas. Very reasonably priced and came with a very personalized service.
Highly recommended!
I was somewhat disappointed by Rick's recommendation of Saran in Salzburg.
Mike Chopra
Springfield, VA USA 01/07/2011
Tasty!
Weissbräu Huber in Freising
Very nice place, excellent pork. love the biergarten,Wienerschnitzel
http://www.huberweisse.de/
Check Tripadvisor for reviews
Ken
Md USA 12/30/2010
Munich food
Coming from the U.S. you wouldn't think that train station food could be good. But it's not so in Germany - especially Munich. There are plenty of delicious, cheap options for food there. We ate the most amazing doner kebabs, among other things.
Erin
Grand Junction, CO USA 12/27/2010
Munich: Augustiner Braeustuben; 19 Landsberger Strasse
Went there during Octoberfest. Food was excellent, beer was even better.
Roger
Calgary, AB Canada 12/15/2010
Vienna. Gasthaus Franceschi.
Thsi little place, co-owned by a somewhat hyper American expat, is located a block behind the Ibis Wein Mariahilfer (15 Afdigig). Serves excellent Viennese fare. The co-owners are also the wait-staff and the service was both entertaining and attentive. Went there 3 times but perhaps should have also tried other recommended eateries in the area.
Roger
Calgary, AB Canada 12/15/2010
Restaurant in Murten, Switzerland
While in Switaerland in September, 2010, we ate at Freiburger Falle in Murten, one of Rick's recommendations. I would not recommend this restaurant. Service was terrible and the food only so-so. We learned from talking with some locals that the restaurant had recently changed hands, apparently for the worse.
George M Brake
New Bern, NC USA 11/28/2010
Eating in Amsterdam.
The 2 best places to eat well for a song in Amsterdam? [1] Brassiere on platform 1 at Central station and [2] Smitts, right on the Central concourse.
Steve Tyers.
Greenville, SC USA 10/24/2010
Delicious and cheap lunches and deserts
This fall we went to Germany where we had the opportunity to eat cheap lunches and deserts in all the cities we visited. For lunch we liked to pick up a delicious pretzel or some sweet baked goods and coffee at any bakery. For desert we chose from dozens of italian ice cream flavors served on waffle cones. We basically stumbled over the many bakeries and italian gelaterias in any German city. You can take your food and walk while eating or you can sit down in many of these locations, but be aware that you have to pay a little bit more for sitting at one of their tables. Another wonderful thing was the buffet breakfast in the various hotels. Being included in the price of the stay they were a phantastic opportunity to fill up before you start your day of walking and exploring. You would not believe the choices of quality foods at these buffets. There is something for everybody and more. It was absolutely delightful.
Claudia Walker
Everett, WA USA 09/25/2010
Ratskellers
We usually have a good meal at the local Ratskeller. Cant remember any town where it wasnt n enjoyable meal
Brian
Los Angeles, Califo USA 08/27/2010
Eating in Baden-Baden
A couple of weeks ago I completed 3 weeks in France, Switzerland, and Germany. In Baden-Baden I had a great meal at Hotel Rathausglockel's restaurant. The restaurant is under new ownership (about 6 months, I think), and they added a menu based on recipes from the 15th century. These included an excellent salmon cooked in beer broth and a pear pudding. Highly recommended.
Brent G.
Atlanta, GA USA 07/27/2010
Dining in Frankfurt
A short distance from the U-Bahn staion near the Ziel in Frankfurt is Solberfass'je Haxenhaus. A German friend took us there and we had a wonderful meal. My husband had sauerbratten, our friend had haxen (pig's knuckle) and I had roulanden. The prices are reasonable and the portions are perfect. The owner has spent time in the US, speaks perfect English and is very friendly. Then stroll the Ziel for some shopping. Perfect.
Ginny
Largo, FL USA 07/06/2010
Great food at German train stations
Definitely check out the food at the train stations in Germany. For example, the main train station in Frankfurt has not only the usual fast food, but a wonderful meat counter with all kinds of smoked/cooked meats, sausages, and cold cuts. You'll also find a sandwich counter with a wide array of sandwiches. Then you'll find a cheese counter with all kinds of cheese. There is also a great bakery there with all kinds of pastries and cakes. You can also have a sit-down meal and eat "real food" from a catering companies instead of eating fast food. It is all very reasonably priced and it is good!
Servus
Austin, Tx USA 06/10/2010
train stations
The train station in Augsburg had wonderful choices of food and drink and we sat outside and ate our food with a beer and wine.
Barb
Louisville, KY USA 05/04/2010
Gulasch (Goulash) Museum in Vienna
My wife and I conduct food tours in Europe, so I'm no novice to the restaurant scene in the big cities... but THIS is a restaurant to AVOID in central Vienna. It is around the corner from Mozart's "Figaro" House, so it probably ensnares many an unwary tourist. The menu features huge photos with six languages of description; the reality is a small bowl of what tastes very much like canned beef stew, except it costs about $22 per bowl. Oh - and there's a "cover charge" of 2.5E per person -- not mentioned in the menu. THEN, there's the beer selection; four types are offered. I was brought a draft beer that was both flat and overly sweet; when I complained to the extremely articulate manager, he told me "a million Austrians like that beer; if you don't like it, it's your fault, not mine." No credit was given, nor was the beer replaced. When time came for the bill, I was informed (only then) that it's a CASH ONLY establishment! How rare is that in Vienna... in a tourist area... and in 2010? STAY AWAY from the Gulasch Museum! There are many other places in the St Stephen's Cathedral area, and all of them are better!
JK Fowler
Houston, TX USA 04/30/2010
Sauerbraten
Auerbach's Keller in Leipzig has OUTSTANDING sauerbraten and I must have had good timing when I visited there in May 2008 because the night I and several others in my study abroad group ate there the sauerbraten was a half off special. I highly recommend it!
Mike Lanski
West St Paul, MN USA 04/27/2010
Bavarian Strudel
The best Strudel and vanilla sauce I've ever had was at the Kloster Ettal in Bavaria, near the Austrian border. Ask for extra vanilla sauce, and they may give you a soup-bowl full to drown your enormous square of bubbling hot spicy apples and crusts. Feeds two, unless one is a teenage boy.
Joe Frost
Seattle, WA USA 03/18/2010
train stations
larger German train stations have some good choices
USA 01/15/2010